Spacer fabric with interconnected rib fibers in glazing element

ABSTRACT

The glazing element in accordance with the invention comprises in its simplest form a pane and a textile spacer fabric arranged at the covering surface of the pane. The spacer fabric comprises at least two covering layers, which are connected together by rib fibers extending approximately transversely in relation to the panes. The glazing element in accordance with the invention possesses thermal insulating properties and may be utilized as safety glass, more particularly for roofs or overhead glazing arrangements.

Glass panes are considered to be safety glass which if fractured do notlead to any substantial injuries. So-called single pane safety glass,also termed toughened glass, and two-pane glass have long been inexistence as safety glass.

In the case of the former protection against injury is possible becausethe glass has been subjected to heat treatment producing pretension sothat on fracture it breaks down into a multiplicity of small, bluntfragments incapable of causing injuries. Composite safety glass is madeup of two sheets of glass with a plastic film therebetween which bondsthe two glass sheets together. The protection against injury is providedbecause when the glass sheets fracture the resulting sharp glassfragments remain adhering to the bonding layer.

Such monolithic sheet has a high heat transition coefficient or kcoefficient of almost 6.0 W/m² K. Only an adjacent air cushion is ableto reduce this high heat transition coefficient. To this extent safetyglass, which has to perform a thermal insulating function, normallynecessitates a two sheet structure along the lines of an insulatingglass element.

An insulating glass element composed of safety glass is expensive, moreparticularly when composite glass is employed, something which isdesirable in the case of insulating glass for glazing in facades androofs at least for the pane bordering on the room. In the case of theuse of single pane safety glass there is a danger of injury on fractureowing to a shower of falling glass crumbs which are frequently stillheld together as clumps. Therefore in the case of insulating glasselements for glazing roofs, if employed at all, such glass is onlyarranged on the outside.

In the case of the use of thermal insulating glass with a safetyfunction for facade glazing and as a glazing structure for roofs theweight of the glass is more particularly a problem. Massive, expensivesupporting and frame structures are necessary. In the case of glassthicknesses of 5 to 6 mm of each individual sheet an insulating glasselement will have a weight of 25 to 30 kg/m².

The German patent publications DE 1,073,164 B and 7,315,974 U discloseinsulating glass with foam bodies filling the intermediate space and,respectively, sheets of hollow glass or plastic fibers arranged parallelto the covering glass surfaces. Owing to a reduction of thermalconduction by convection such interlayers increase the insulating effectand simultaneously serve to prevent dazzle because of the scattering oflight. Such elements do not have any safety properties. The interlayersare fragile in structure. They are hardly in a position of transferringforces from the one cover sheet to the other one. Furthermore, there isno force transmitting connection with the cover sheet.

The German patent publication DE 3,432,761 discloses an insulating glasselement which is more particularly to have safety glass properties. Thisis to be achieved by a connection of one or both glass sheets with atransparent, fragment binding plastic layer. However owing to thecoarse, thin-walled foam material interlayer of low rigidity and oforganic material this insulating glass structure lacks both thestructural strength and rigidity necessary for roof and facade glazingand also the resistance to aging. Thus more particularly in the case ofthe employment of weight reducing thin glass, which is so advantageous,such elements are neither suitable to withstand heavy roof loads nor tospan large distances.

Having regard to the lack of structural strength and of inherentstability of the foam material interlayer there is furthermore a lack ofsufficient resistance to penetrating forces. Such glass elements areunable to offer sufficient resistance to the impact of massive fallingbodies, this constituting a disadvantage for roof and facade glazingarrangements. Owing to the insufficient resistance to falling bodies ofthe interlayer there is furthermore no guarantee of sufficientresistance to persons attempting to break into or out of a building.

The bonding of glass panes with foam slabs which owing to the necessarytransparency to light comprise relatively large bubbles, is admittedlypossible using an additional plastic film, but however then only thesurfaces of such foam slabs are bonded. Owing to the extremely thinwalls of the brittle material neither thrust nor compressive forces maybe taken up or transmitted by the foam material interlayer.

A force transmitting connection of the glass panes with each other isonly possible using an edge bonding rib, which may also be providedalternatively as an edge sealing rib. Edge seal means are certainlynecessary in the case of foam material interlayers, since otherwisethere will be a diffusion of water vapor into such sheets, somethingwhich is responsible for a substantial reduction in the thermalinsulating effect and to cloudiness in the interlayer.

If the interior space of the sheet is sealed off from the atmosphere thebonding of the pane with the interlayer and the brittle foam structureitself is permanently damaged by the inward and outward bulging of thesheet as caused by the differences in pressure, due to the changes intemperature, of the enclosed volume of air. Despite this, experience hasso far been that, owing to substantial thermal loads during heating upin the summer of approximately 100° C. and the insufficient resistanceto UV radiation, translucent plastic structures employed as interlayerssuffer rapid embrittlement and lose their dimensional stability.

In the case of the insulating glass element in accordance with theGerman patent publication DE 3,432,761 the starting point is coveringglass panes of extremely thin flat glass, preferably with a thickness ofapproximately 1.5 to 2 mm. Roofing sheet elements must however bestatically in a position of resisting additional loads such as those ofsnow, as well as suction effects due to gusts.

Owing to such loads wire reinforced glass with a minimum thickness of 7mm is with good reason specified as a constructional standard foroverhead lights. In the case of the employment of insulating glass adesign is required which on the outside comprises a sheet of toughenedglass with a thickness of 5 mm and on the inside a composite glass sheetalso with a thickness of 5 mm.

In the case of the above mentioned insulating glass sheet only the thincover pane of flat glass of preferably 1.5 to 2 mm in thickness takespart in withstanding the load. The interlayer of acrylic foam isincapable of either resisting loads or transmitting forces to the lowercover glass pane. For this purpose it is necessary to provide aninterlayer of rigid material, which is joined to the two sheets of glassin a force transmitting fashion. A glass sheet with a thickness of 2 mmor even of 3 mm will probably bend under load when employed for largespans and owing to the low tensile strength of the glass would fracture.This applies for insulating glass elements as glazing for roofsgenerally. The capacity to take up roof loads is in this case onlydependent on the flexural rigidity of the upper cover sheet.

In an article by F. B. Grimm entitled "Glas als tragender Baustoff:Glassandwich-Elemente" published in glass+rahmen (1991) 19, pages 1020through 1028, glazing elements are described, in which the forcetransmitting connection by the two insulating glass sheet is achievedeither by mechanically connected or thrust transmitting, bonded onspacers. In the former case the pins welded to the glass sheet fit intoholes, which are provided in the spacers. As an alternative it ispossible for the glass sheets to be connected together by countersunkhead screws with each other, such screws extending through drilled holesand being secured in suitable threaded holes in the spacers.

In the second case the spacers have a space for receiving a siliconeadhesive, the spacer completely surrounding the adhesive and thereforepreventing changes in form when thrust loads are applied. As a thirddesign a sandwich core is suggested made up of two sheet parts able tobe plugged together and which is completely bonded to the two glasssheets over the full surface thereof.

Not one of the three above mentioned designs can be said to be anelement with pronounced thermal insulating properties, or at any ratenot with properties better than those of normal double sheet insulatingglass. The spacers proposed, whatever the form thereof, ultimatelyconstitute cold bridges in all three systems owing to the wall thicknessthereof, such bridges constituting a hinderance to achieving asubstantial thermal insulating effect owing to the thermal conductiontaking place through them.

This furthermore applies for the case of filling of the space betweenthe sheets with granular aerogel or other foam materials with anextremely low thermal conductivity. The more effective the prevention ofthe passage of heat through the element owing to the foam materials oraerogel pellets surrounding the spacer elements, the greater the thermalpotential or the quantity of heat, which flows through the cold bridges.Such cold bridges have an extreme effect in the case of evacuated spacesbetween the sheets. The thermal insulating effect is here practicallythe same as that of conventional plastic sheets connected together bybridges.

In order to achieve a heat transition coefficient (k) of less than 1W/m² K, support elements with extremely low surface fractions with wallthicknesses in the micron range are necessary and additional measureshave to be adopted in order to prevent thermal transition due toradiation.

In this connection it is to be pointed out that overhead lights moreparticularly have to possess high thermal insulation properties, notonly owing to temperatures, which are, as is known, higher in the upperpart of a room. In present day constructional physics the much greaterradiation of heat into the heavens of inclined sheet surfaces is hardlytaken into consideration.

Such sheet surfaces are always in radiative exchange with the sky, whichdependent on the amount of cloud will have a temperature which isbetween 10 and 30K below that of the ambient atmosphere. Roof oroverhead lights must therefore in all cases be designed to have a highthermal insulation effect, the reduction in emission being aparticularly important aspect.

As regards the safety features the two first designs mentioned in theabove noted article require composite glass increasing the weight of theelement.

Furthermore the ability of all glass sandwich elements mentioned in thisarticle, when subject to flexural loads, to transmit thrust forces and,in a force transmitting manner, loads to the opposite glass sheet bymeans of the proposed spacers is limited.

The ability of sheet glass to take up flexural loads, as occur in thecase of overhead lights owing to the given inherent weight loads androof loads to be additionally taken up, is known to be substantiallyreduced at the outset owing to the low tensile strength which in turn isdue to the micronotches always present on the glass surface andfurthermore microcracks. As is generally known, glass is a materialwhich reacts extremely sensitively to extremely great, punctuatestresses, which are inter alia caused by strain maxima owing to rigidconnections.

An aspect which is not clearly expressed in the above mentioned articleis the increased liability to fracture in the case of a punctuate orlocally limited cancellation of the pressure stresses owing toimposition of tensile forces at the end surfaces of glass sheetingsubject to a flexural load. This decrease of thrust forces (whichprevent the breaking open of micronotches and cracks) however takesplace with the proposed arrangement of spacers with welded on pins oradhesively applied annular spacers owing to the punctuate or locallyproduced tensile strains.

If these spacers are furthermore applied to the end surface of the sheetsubjected to flexural strains, then even tensile strains occurring atlow degrees of flexure are sufficient to cause glass fracture owing tomicrocracks.

In order to provide a remedy within limits thicker sheet glass isrequired, the inherent weight of the glazing arrangement--the weight ofboth sheets are involved in the load--hardly allowing the use of suchelements, as is shown by practice, in the case of a glass arrangementwith a considerable span.

In the case of rigid bonding of a plastic sheet with a glass sheet,which is able to transmit thrust forces, however owing to the bondcompressive strains are neutralized by locally applied surface strainson the surfaces of the sheet so that it is certainly not possible tospeak of a compensation of the liability to fracture of the reinforcedglass sheet.

Furthermore the poor resistance to aging of plastic sheet owing to thecontinuous UV irradiation and furthermore the high degree of heating ofthe sealed intermediate space of possibly up to 100° C. between thesheets is disadvantageous. Premature embrittlement occurs moreparticularly in the case of plastic sheets, which are subject tocontinuous loading. Brittle fracture of sheets owing to additionalflexural loading leads as a rule simultaneously to fracture of the glasspane rigidly connected with such sheet owing to the fracture strainpeaks transmitted to the end surface of the glass sheet.

The above discussion of shortcomings of systems which have beendeveloped so far leads towards the object of the invention, namely thedevelopment of a translucent or partly transparent glazing element,which is characterized by good thermal insulation properties andfurthermore as safety glass has the property of resistance topenetration and the ability to bind fragments.

In order to achieve the said object the invention contemplates a glazingelement with at least one pane and a layer which extends over one of thecovering surfaces of the pane for at least a substantial part of itsarea, made up of fibers extending in parallelism to the coveringsurfaces of the pane, characterized in that this fiber layer isconstituted by a covering coating of a first spacing fabric impregnatedwith resin and is connected with the covering surface of the pane in aforce transmitting manner, the spacer fabric having at least one secondcovering layer opposite to the first covering layer and the coveringlayers are connected with one another by rib fibers which extendtransversely to the same and after the curing of the resin areflexurally stiff and elastic fibers.

The invention as defined in the claims is therefore based on the notionthat two transparent panes are to be connected together by spacer fabricby means of the flexurally stiff rib fiber structure thereof in a forcetransmitting fashion.

Spacer fabrics of the type employed here have already been proposed.They generally consist of two covering layers of a textile material,more particularly of glass, synthetic resin or carbon fibers or howeverfurthermore in accordance with specific requirements, of blends of suchmaterials, which are connected together by fibers enteringperpendicularly or at an angle, that is to say so-called rib fibers.

These rib fibers, which may be arranged differently dependent on therequirements, keep the two fabric layers at a predetermined distanceapart like a framework. The rib fibers in this case constitute rows ofribs standing substantially perpendicularly on the covering layers likea loop structure, the covering layers being if desired connectedtogether additionally by thread structures extending diagonally inrelation to the rows of ribs. Such spacer fabrics have so far been moreespecially utilized as spacer layers for the production of various fibercomposite materials.

Spacer fabrics are as a rule impregnated with resin when they areprocessed. The impregnation with resin may take place both by dipping inthe resin composition or furthermore by even application on the fabric.The excess resin is then expressed between films or rolls. After theimpregnation with resins the rib fibers will return to the originallevel automatically without an adjuvant and render possible, owing tothe defined position thereof, distances from the covering layers, whichcan be set as desired. The arrangement and level of the fibers determinethe strength of the sandwich structure resulting after curing of theresin layers.

Having regard to the requirement for the maximum possible flexuralrigidity for the production of the glazing arrangements in accordancewith the invention it is preferred to utilize spacer fabrics withcovering layer and rib fibers of E glass fibers. Preferably the ribfibers in the spacer fabrics are so arranged that they intersect.

The mechanical loads are distributed by the elastic rib fibers evenlyand without any local stress, over the surface of the pane. Despitetheir elasticity the rib fibers constitute a rigid, thrust resistantconnecting means for the panes, since with the intersecting arrangementthere is a triangulation effect leading to a generally rigid buttressingaction. It is an advantage if the rib fibers are connected together attheir points of intersection by the solidified resin so that thetriangulation effect can be enhanced even more.

The rib fibers should have a mean fineness in a range of approximately20 to 80 tex and should be arranged with a density of betweenapproximately 10 and 60 fibers per cm². The fibers of the spacer fabricshould be constituted at least partly of hollow fibers.

In order to be stable such a glass sheet structure does not require anyadditional supporting frame. Owing to the surface parts, which arerigidly and force transmittingly connected together the statics of sucha structure go further than a superimposed and supporting frame means.Owing to the high modulus of elasticity of the glass the loads are takenup by the entire surface of the pane.

The process of manufacture for the glazing element in accordance withthe invention may be as follows:

This process comprises the steps of placing a resin impregnated spacerfabric having at least two coveting layers and rib fibers extendingtransversely in relation to the covering layers so as to cover a majorsurface of a transparent pane to produce a laminated body, compressingthe laminated body in a pressing mold so as to adhesively bond the paneto one of the covering layers of the fabric, whereafter the pressingmold is at least partially opened and the resin impregnated in thespacer fabric is cured. During the opening step, the pressing mold isopened a graduated amount until the desired distance is reached betweenthe covering layers. At least one partly resin impregnated spacer fabrichaving at least two covering layers and rib fibers extendingtransversely in relation to the covering layers is cured and at leastone spacer fabric is placed between two panes or sheets in a distancedetermining manner. The panes or sheets with the spacer fabrictherebetween are then pressed with an adhesive bonding effect.

The spacer fabric layers are impregnated with suitable resins and laidon the covering surface of the pane to be provided with the spacerfabric or, respectively, between the pair of panes to be joinedtogether. The "sandwich structure" is thereafter placed in a press inorder to ensure a complete wetting of the pane surfaces with the viscousresin composition applied to the fabric and in order to simultaneouslysecure a reliable adherence of the resin. On opening the press mold therib fibers, which were pressed out flat in the course of the pressingoperation, re-erect themselves owing to the restoring forces and becomerigid owing to the resin material adhering like a size.

It is an advantage if after the pressing operation there is a gradedlifting of the covering layers or, respectively, of the panes from eachother using compressed air or specific suction devices, until thedesired distance between the covering layers is reached. It is preferredfor the curing process of the resin incorporated in the glass fabric tobe accelerated by the addition of suitable chemical substances and/or bythe supply of energy, more particularly heat.

The process of production may be performed in such a manner that thefibers to be processed already bear a resin size, which after theintroduction into the press is suitably re-activated. This method ispreferably to be performed when different resins or adhesive materialsto be cured are to be utilized for the covering layers and for the ribfibers.

For processing it is mainly possible to utilize epoxy, polyurethane,phenol and polyester resins, which adhere satisfactorily to the glassyarn, which is preferably provided with silane sizes. For ensuring areliable adhesion of the glass panes on the covering layers polyurethaneresins are more particularly suitable.

The fabrics may be designed with rib fiber lengths of up to 16 mm. Ifthe bonding process is carefully performed and if specific measures aretaken for additionally reinforcing the restoring forces of the riblayers the full spacer width for the pair of panes is achieved. In thecase of the use of suitable polyurethane resins, possibly in connectionwith a primer material suitable for the system, the reliable andpermanent bonding of the glass panes on the covering fabric layers isensured.

In the case of the glass sandwich element in accordance with theinvention local stress peaks on the glass pane are prevented. Owing tothe elastic covering layers of the spacer fabric no stress peaks aretransmitted via a thin resin layer when the fabric is joined to theglass pane. Furthermore the transfer of the force to the spacer fabrictakes place without locally occurring stress maxima owing to the fiberstructure of the covering layers. The spacing glass fiber structures areextremely elastic while having a high flexural rigidity. The flexuralloads are taken up throughout the thickness of the fiber structureevenly over large areas and transmitted to the opposite pane. Owing tothis it is possible for the glass pane to be designed as a thinstructure with an extreme saving in weight, since the pane structureultimately constitutes a pseudo-monolithic element connected in a forcetransmitting manner.

In this glass element a special mechanism leads to astonishingly highflexural rigidities. On curing the resin tensile forces are applied tothe spacer structure. The interlayer connected with the glass panes thenacts in a force transmitting manner like the reinforcement of aprestressed concrete slab or a core layer of a glass sheet with athermally applied pre-loading effect.

Owing to the lead of the cure of the resin coating applied to the fabriclayers, which ensure the adhesion of the covering layers to the glasspanes, in relation to the resin coating of the rib fibers andfurthermore the marginal zones of the sandwich element the designer isin a position of reinforcing this mechanism in a systematic manner asdesired. Such a measure is therefore proposed as a method procedure.

As a result of the high modulus of elasticity of glass fibers the glasspane structure leads to an extremely high resistance to thrust andcompressive loads in a direction perpendicular to the layer structure.The high flexural rigidity of the rib fibers and the density thereof,and the arrangement of the surface in a regular structure endows the"pane sandwich" with the dimensional stability and structural strengthof a solid glass body. Owing to its structural strength properties it ispossible to utilize such a glazing element and more particularlyfurthermore a twin or multiple layer insulating glass element withoutadditional stiffening frame means for a construction in the manner of amonolithic pane of glass. From the point of view of weight in this casepractically the glass covering panes are alone significant.

A particular advantage is furthermore the dimensional stability of suchinsulating glass structures, which when the pressure of the atmosphereincreases or decreases, do not (like the conventional insulating glasspanes) depart somewhat from the flat form. To this extent there are nolonger the loading effects, occurring with conventional insulating panesof glass due to such pressures, at the edge joints and damage to theseal connected with them.

An advantage directly resulting from the sandwich structure of theglazing element in accordance with the invention is the possibility ofhaving a vacuum in such elements, that is to say evacuation of theinterior space in them. For this purpose it is merely necessary toprovide a diffusion-proof marginal seal. Naturally in the case of suchpane elements furthermore any gas fillings reducing thermal conductionare of very much greater stability.

The glazing element in accordance with the invention possesses theadvantage that it is resistant to aging without any limitation andfurthermore withstands, practically again without limitation, intensivethermal, atmospheric and solar radiation effects. Mechanical forces havelittle effect on it, because it is sturdy and dimensionally stable. Theglazing element in accordance with the invention can be employed forroof and facade glazing and is in the position of resisting high loadsand spanning large areas. It acts as an effective anti-dazzle means anda glass providing a guarding effect against sunlight, as acousticinsulation and may be furthermore employed as glass preventing breakingout or breaking in. Lastly, in the simplest form, it is to be employedat substantially lower expense than known insulating glass elementswhile having a high thermal insulation effect.

Further advantageous developments and convenient forms of the inventionwill be understood from the following descriptive disclosure inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 12 illustrate various different embodiments of theglazing element in accordance with the invention as seen in crosssection.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 diagrammatically show views of various spacerfabrics which are employed in glazing elements in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic elevation of a glazing element in accordancewith the invention with an integral window element.

FIG. 1 shows a glazing element 1 in accordance with the invention as asimple embodiment. It comprises an individual transparent pane 2 orsheet and more particularly a pane of glass, to which a spacer fabric 3is adhered by means of a resin coating applied to its covering layer 4.This resin coating is not illustrated in FIG. 1. The opposite coveringlayer 5 of the spacer fabric 3 is connected in a force transmittingmanner by means of rib fibers 6, which extend transversely in relationto the covering layers 4 and 5, such fibers 6 in this case beingrepresented as rib rows arranged generally perpendicularly on thecovering layers 4 and 5. Between the rib rows in this case diagonallyextending fiber structures are arranged, which in an advantageousfashion increase the stability of the pane member. Both the coveringlayers 4 and 5 comprise fibers, which are woven or knitted, extending inparallelism to the covering surface of the pane. The rib fibers 6themselves are so arranged that they intersect one another. They may bepartly or completely surrounded with resin. The rib fibers in thismanner constitute rigid, flexurally stiff struts, which endow the spacerfabric in the cured condition with the property of a highly elasticshaped body able to be loaded in all directions, such body constitutingin conjunction with the pane 2 a thermal insulating, mechanicallyresistant glazing element with safety glass properties.

As an alternative to a direct bonding of the spacer fabric 3 on thetransparent pane 2 by means of the resin layer applied for stiffeningits covering layers 4 and 5 it is possible to have the spacer fabricbonded to the transparent pane 2 or, respectively, to panes arranged oneach side by means of adhesive films. In this case it is possible tostart with prefabricated, cured spacer fabrics, that is to say fabricsimpregnated or wetted with resin and whose covering layers on eitherside are then provided with an extremely thin resin coating as necessaryfor stiffening the fibers.

Primarily this offers the advantage that there is a rationalprefabrication of the textile spacer fabric sheets, even with adhesivecoatings on each side or one side applied previously, in a continuousproduction process and a respective blank in accordance with the size ofthe areas to be glazed.

For bonding it is then an advantage to utilize PVB (polyvinylbutyral)material in the form of a viscous liquid, but preferably in a film form.The spacer fabrics provided with films are then placed between the panesto be bonded. The sandwich then firstly runs under a heated roll forfixing and bonding the same and then after this it is processed in anautoclave for ultimate solidification and rendering the film materialglass clear and transparent.

Owing to the integration of the adhesive coatings of a visco-plasticmaterial (which is preferably in the form of PVB films with a thicknessof approximately 0.37 mm to 0.76 mm) bonded to the textile shaped bodythe thermal insulating safety glass element is not only able to performthe function of an acoustic insulation pane but furthermore attains thequality of a pane element preventing breaking in or breaking out. Thepenetration of such a pane element would require much time and force andwould not be possible without percussive and cutting tooth tools.

The adhesive films may be monolithic or be part of a composite filmstructure with further functions, as for example with a selectivereflection or absorption filter action for the solar spectrum. Moreparticularly, it would be feasible to employ colored or figured adhesivefilms for decorative effects or for optically covering the fiberstructure of the textile spacer fabric.

For glass elements, and more especially those subjected to high flexuralloads, for safety glass elements with thin covering panes andfurthermore however for pane elements offering enhanced protectionagainst breaking in or out PVB films or polyurethane films withintegrated fiberglass, resin fiber or carbon fiber material in the formof cut mats or endless mats are employed for the bonding of the spacerfabric to the covering panes. The film bonded in a force transmittingmanner in the sandwich does not develop any surface stresses. Itcontributes to the flexural rigidity of the glass element and as anelastic adhesive coating constitutes a buffer acting against any stresspeaks occurring where force is taken up by the structure.

In the case of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 thecovering layer 5 of the spacer fabric 3 comprises a thin, sheet-likecoating 7 of a resin as required for the stiffening of the rib fibers 6.By means of an edge-aligned pressing together of the textile coveringlayers 4 and 5 there is the advantage of a surrounding edge seal.

Such a stiff structure, which is stable as regards its load area anddimensions, is in this simple design as such suitable for use as athermal insulating security overhead or facade glazing material, theglass covered side having to be on the outside.

Present day cold facades only consist of a glass sheet, normally singlepane safety glass, with a ventilation space behind it and arranged at aminimum distance of 2 cm from the load bearing structure of the front ofthe building. The glass element 1 in accordance with the invention may,in its simplest design with a low weight, transform such a cold facadeinto a warm facade that is to say a thermally insulated facade withadditional acoustic insulation.

A remarkable economic advantage of the glazing element in accordancewith the invention is the mechanical attachment means on the face of thebuilding. Whereas in the past the locking pins on the glass panes had tobe secured through drilled holes or surrounding frame elements, it isnow possible for suitable receiving arrangements 8 for the pins to beembedded in the inner fabric body 3 in a force transmitting manner. Theresult is then a facade system, in the case of which the panes aremounted with flat alignment as an architecturally perfect structuralglazing system covering the outer surface of the building withoutexternal attachment and securing elements and without means penetratingthe pane members.

Elements of this type, fitted with receiving means in accordance withthe proposed attachment system, are furthermore excellent for suspendedfacades as translucent, thermal insulating wall claddings for thepurpose of additional solar heating of the masonry. More particularly inthe case of the renovation of poorly insulated masonry in old buildingsit is possible to use such suspended glass components to achieve betteruse of the available thermal energy for the building at a moderate cost.

This structure may also be utilized with advantage to improve upon thethermal insulating coefficient of roof or facade areas already fittedwith monolithic panes of glass. The structure is then to be joined tothe old, pre-existing glazing adhesively using a resin coating 7 ormechanically using an added frame structure.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the glazing element in accordancewith the invention. In the case of this preferred design both coveringcoatings 4 and 5 of the spacer fabric 3 are covered with thin-walledglass panes 2 and 9. The edge seal may be produced in a conventionalfashion by means of a bonded joint 10. Spacing rib rails are no longernecessary, since the distance between the panes is defined by the spacerfabric and is constantly adhered to and there are no alternatingmechanical loads on the sealing rib 10.

There is then the advantage that no highly elastic sealants are requiredfor sealing in order to take up the forces due to deformation of theglass panes, and it is possible to utilize such sealants as offeroptimum properties as regards preventing diffusion and providing thermalinsulation and adherence of the glass.

Thus it is to be recommended to cover the sealing rib on the side, whichis facing or turned away from the interior space, including both sideflanks in halves with a thin aluminum film 11, such film beingpermanently bonded by way of the surfaces laterally engaging the glasspanes by means of a diffusion-proof adhesive to the glass panes.Preferably the middle film surface, which is perpendicular to theintermediate space between the glass panes, should be made with folds.

Furthermore in the case of these elements it is an advantage to use theprevious technique of producing the edge joint by direct welding of thecovering panes 2 and 9, which more particularly in the case of evacuatedinsulating glass ensures a diffusion-proof edge joint, which howeverowing to the thermally produced outward bulging of the glass panes doesnot stand up to the forces exerted on the edge zone. Such a design withpanes 2 and 9 welded in the edge zone is depicted in FIG. 4.

It is furthermore possible in a simplified manner, as already mentionedin connection with FIG. 2, to provide an edge seal using the resinsstiffening the structure. Finally it is possible to completely dispensewith the edge seal, more particularly if one of the panes 2 and 9 isdesigned to absorb solar radiation. The pane element 1 is then heatedwhen the sun shines on it so that any moisture which may have penetratedinto the structure can not remain.

As a solar protective glass, with the absorbing pane arranged on theoutside while doing without the edge seal it is possible to obtain theadvantage of lesser heating of the pane element by direct removal ofheat energy of the absorbing pain by means of convective flow throughthe lattice constituted by the spacer fabric.

Attempts at the development of insulating glazing systems primarily havethe object of optimizing thermal insulation properties. The inventionconsequently also has the purpose of not only improving mechanicalstability but furthermore of providing the glazing elements asinsulating glass elements with maximum thermal insulation performance.

In the case of the proposed design with internal spacer fabrics it ispossible to have greater pane spacings with generally the samecoefficients of heat transition (k values or coefficients) as is thecase with conventional insulating glass panes with the same width of theintermediate space. Any possible increase in the values for thermalconduction owing to the rib fibers will tend to be compensated for bythe advantage of lower losses due to convection.

Owing to their flexural stiffness and their resistance to compressiveloads, more particularly if they are manufactured with low ribs, thespacer fabrics utilized in the present case are excellently suited for ameasure which in the case of insulating elements generally leads to asubstantial increase in the resistance values for thermal transition.The evacuation of the air volume in the intermediate space between thepanes in order to minimize heat transition has already been mentionedsupra. As is known even an extremely tight pane spacing of the order ofsize of the free mean path of the air molecules is sufficient.

FIG. 5 shows such a design, which is characterized by special measuresfor ensuring thermal insulation in the pane element 1 in accordance withthe invention. In order, in the case of evacuation of the intermediatespace between the panes, to keep the thermal conduction via the ribfibers 6 within extremely tight limits, there is the proposal to utilizespacer fabrics 3 with a plurality of rib fibers 6 of minimum thickness,that is to say rib fibers with an extremely low fineness value, and witha minimum application of resin thereto.

It is particularly preferred to utilize spacer fabrics, which aredesigned in the form of a velvet, the spacer fabric employed here merelyconsisting of one covering layer 4, which is connected with the ribfibers extending from it and running perpendicularly to the coveringlayer. It is preferred to utilize velvet fabric layers with loops or cutloops with a height of 1 to 3 mm. By means of the sprayed on, curedresin, which is not illustrated here, the individual threads 6 arestiffened and caused to stand upright on the glass pane 2. The glasspane 9, which on the inside is preferably provided with a low E coating,is placed on a plurality of erected fibers 6 and after providing anair-tight edge seal by means of a surrounding adhesive rib 10 is pressedfirmly against the fiber structure resting thereupon by evacuation ofthe so formed intermediate space between the panes. The plurality oferected, stiffened fibers prevents inward curvature of the panes underthe load of the atmospheric pressure.

It is an advantage if the glass pane 9 is provided on the inside with athin film 12 as well, which accepts the stiffened fiber ends in a fixingand force transmitting manner. In order if required to ensure theemission reducing effect of the low E coating arranged on the inside ofthe glass pane 9, it is necessary for the film 12 to consist of amaterial which is transparent for thermal radiation. Polyvinyl fluoridefilm with a thickness below 50 μm fulfill this condition. In the samemanner it is furthermore possible for the fibrous covering layer 4 aswell to be provided with a resin of a material which is transparent forthermal radiation, this being possible with all embodiments illustrated.

As regards the rib fibers 6 in order to reduce heat transition with anytype of spacer fabric 3 it is possible to adopt the feature ofdispensing with resin coatings for the mean height of the fiber ribsalong a length of a few tenths of a millimeter in order to have anextremely thin fiber cross section at one position along the length ofthe fiber without any sacrifice as regards flexural rigidity andresistance to compression of the thread structure. In this respect theinvention contemplates further reducing heat conduction by providing ribfibers with a low thermal conductivity, as for instance carbon ortextile carbon fibers, or furthermore hollow fibers of such fibermaterials.

The heat transition through the spacer fabric can be still furtherreduced by fully or at least partly designing the glass, synthetic resinor carbon fibers employed for the manufacture of the textile spacerfabrics as hollow fibers. Moreover, optical guide effects can beobtained or are at least favored by the use of hollow fibers evenwithout additional sizes. The employment of hollow fibers further leadsto a higher rigidity and elasticity of the spacer fabric. Thisfacilitates the erection of the rib fibers or their automatic return toan upright position after the impregnation.

Further possible measures of the invention relate to a reduction in theheat transition or k values by avoiding high thermal radiation emissionvalues. The high emission values of glass pane surfaces for thermalradiation are due to the high absorption capacity of glass for thermalradiation--the coefficient (e) of emission of glass is equal to0.85--and in the room temperature range in the case of glass panes leadto a proportional thermal energy transition by radiation ofapproximately 65%.

Emission reducing coatings on glass (low E coatings) may consequentlymake a substantial contribution to improving the thermal insulationproperties of insulating glass. Such coatings are however only effectiveif thermal radiation is able to be directly incident thereon. It ishence necessary for a medium transparent to thermal radiation, as forexample a layer of air or a film material transparent to thermalradiation, to adjoin such layers.

The normal way of thinking behind highly effective insulating glass ofconventional design of applying such coatings on the surfaces of theinwardly directed panes just because of their sensitivity to scratching,may not be directly adopted for the glazing element in accordance withthe invention, since the inner surfaces of the covering panes areadhered to the resin coatings of the spacer fabrics and to this extentdo not offer any surfaces open to radiation.

For the provision of the glass surfaces with low E coatings on theglazing element in accordance with the invention a different approach isnecessary.

FIG. 6 shows a simple embodiment of a glazing element with an emissionreducing coating. In the case of this simplified design the firstproposal is to utilize a pane 2 with an external, pyrolytically appliedlow E coating 13 for the pane turned towards the interior of thebuilding. Such pyrolytically applied coatings on glass to reduceemission of thermal radiation are considered to be scratch resistant andnot influenced by atmospheric effects. The low E coating functions, ifit is applied to the surface of the outer covering pane facing theinterior of the building, in this case as a coating reflecting thermalradiation. From the point of view of the physics of the arrangement suchcoatings act reflectingly as regards the thermal radiation if they areturned towards the flux of heat. When applied to surfaces facing awayfrom the thermal flux on the contrary they cut down the emission ofthermal energy while providing the same useful effect.

The conventional use of low E coatings in the case of insulating glasselements on a pane surface facing the space between the panes, mayhowever be adopted for the pane elements 1 in accordance with theinvention if further method steps are employed. In this case firstly theresin impregnated spacer fabric 3 is placed on the first covering pane 2and introduced into a press, whose upper platen is designed on its innerface in the form of relief-like embossing plate. By means of theembossing plate a regularly shaped, proud line or dot grid patternstructure is embossed in the resin coating 7 of the upper coveringfabric layer 5. The proud line or dot grid pattern is to amount toapproximately 10 to 15% of the basic area and exceed the same in heightby at least 1 mm. After curing of the embossed grid patterns the secondcovering pane 9, which is internally provided with a low E coating 13 isapplied with an adhesive effect on such proud pattern surfaces 7 so thatbetween the pane 9 and the recessed basic surfaces of the covering layer5 a volume of air 14 with a height of at least 1 mm may be produced. Anembodiment of the invention produced using such method steps with a lowE coating on the inside is depicted in FIG. 7. It is naturally possibleto use pyrolitic coatings in combination with coatings produced by vapordeposition in order to optimize the k value in one and the sameinsulating element.

The functional effectiveness of low E coatings applied internally to oneor, respectively, both covering panes 2 and 9 may be also achieved by asuitable modification of the covering layers 4 and 5 of the spacerfabrics 3. For this case it is preferred to design the distance betweenthe rib rows to be larger and the connecting covering layer for asmaller number of fibers so that the covering layers 4 and 5 adhering tothe covering panes 2 and 9 have partly open areas and accordingly permitfree glass areas.

As already mentioned in the case of all embodiments of the invention forwetting the covering coatings it is possible to employ resins which in athin layer are completely or substantially transparent for the spectrumof thermal radiation.

Using the insulating glass element in accordance with the invention andgiven a high degree of evacuation of the intermediate space andsimultaneously the provision of the element with low E coatings it ispossible to obtain extremely high thermal insulation effects with kvalues of under 1.0 W/m² K.

With the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 it is possible to obtain evenbetter thermal insulation values. This embodiment comprises a compositestructure of two insulating glass elements, which are connected togetherat a distance of for example 12 to 20 mm by means of an edge seal 10 ina fashion similar to conventional twin pane insulating glass. Theconnection with one another of the inner panes 15 and 16 may also beperformed in an advantageous manner using a marginally surroundingspacer fabric 17. In the case of such a composite structure involvingtwo insulating glass elements there is then the possibility of arrangingany necessary low E coatings 13, protected in a manner as with normalinsulating glass, on the surfaces facing the intermediate space.

In an advantageous fashion it is possible, as shown in FIG. 9, toprovide weight saving transparent synthetic resin sheets or,respectively, films 18 at the position of the panes 15 and 16 on theinside in order to cover over the spacer fabric 3. In this case as wellit is possible to arrange low E coatings 13 protected in theintermediate space between the panes on the synthetic resin film 18.

Furthermore in the case of such a composite element it is possible tocompletely dispense with a cover for the spacer fabric 3 facing theinterior space on one or both sides. It would furthermore be anadvantage in this case, as shown in FIG. 10, to provide a transparentglass or synthetic resin pane or, respectively, film 19 arranged in theintermediate space in parallelism to the panes 2 and 9, such pane orfilm 19 being provided if necessary with a low E coating 13 on bothsides.

Sandwich elements of this type can be utilized with advantage in theform of large-area translucent building coverings extending for theheight of a storey instead of opaque walls, in which respect in order toachieve the same thermal insulating effect it is only necessary to havea wall thickness of 40 mm, as opposed to wall thicknesses of 400 mm inthe case of conventional opaque encasing means. The stability orstrength of such elements may be increased by an additional edgecomposite structure using a surrounding spacer fabric band. It isnaturally possible also to utilize multi-layer sheet structures inaccordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 hereof.

Translucent wall elements with a large area may lead to excessiveheating of rooms in the summer time when there is greater solarradiation, whereas in the winter and transitional periods strong solarradiation will contribute to heating rooms. If in the case of suchelements one of the outer panes is replaced by an absorptive glass panewith a predominant effect in the non-visible part of the solar spectrum,such an insulating glass element, dependent on the way it is turnedthrough 180°, will in summer provide a highly effective sunshade whereasin winter it will provide for complete utilization of available solarradiant energy for room heating.

When the element is in its summer position with the absorptive outerpane turned towards the sun, selectively at least 50% of the radiantsolar energy, preferentially the radiation in the long wave lengthinvisible spectral range, will be converted by the outer absorptivefilter pane into heat energy. Owing to the high thermal resistance ofthe insulating pane element and the low E coating applied to the rearsurface of the outwardly directed absorptive filter pane the heat energywill be predominantly lost to the outside atmosphere by convection or inthe form of thermal radiation.

In the case of the winter setting of the element this effect, like theeffect of a diode, will take place in the opposite direction. On turningthe insulating glass element through 180° the absorptive filter panewill now be arranged on the room side. The solar radiation impinging onthe wall element penetrates through the translucent insulating glasselement with only a low transmission loss rate and impinges on theabsorptive filter glass pane facing the interior of the building. Theheat produced in this pane by absorption of the solar radiation will nowflow practically completely into the interior of the building.

A control of the solar radiation may naturally be effected in a familiarmanner using louvers, which in this case are accommodated and protectedin an advantageous manner in the free space between the compositeelements.

An obvious advantage of the glazing elements in accordance with theinvention so far described is the low inherent weight of the structures,which may even be effected with a single pane of glass. Owing to theirlow inherent weight the glass elements in accordance with the inventionmay be utilized to span large distances without specially supported edgeledges.

In the case of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 unlike other compositeglass elements the possibility is taken advantage of that the glazingelements in accordance with the invention may be securely mountedwithout any operation on the pane members, which are likely to fracture,with an ample supporting action. For this purpose in the case of thisembodiment the spacer fabric 3 adhering to the pane 2 is caused at theedge to project past the pane and may be designed as a ledge withsuitable holding means.

Such a projecting ledge of the spacer fabric 3 may be pressed or beattached as a tape or band in some convenient fashion on holding railsby bonding, screwing or clipping.

Glass sandwich elements of this type with marginally projecting ledgesas holding or attachment means may more particularly be utilized withadvantage in connection with the glazing of facades and cladding walls.An attachment of the glass panes using ledges, projecting on all foursides, of the spacer fabric on supporting elements of the outer wall ofa building leads to a reliable load bearing and elastic connection withglass elements having a large area. Stresses and distortion as normallycaused by a rigid connection of the pane members with the supportelements and which are unpleasing to the eye when beholding the facade,may be avoided with this type of attachment.

By means of projecting ledges of the spacer fabric it is possible notonly to mount panes with large areas on support elements set in the wallmasonry without stress but furthermore they may be connected togetherusing laterally projecting ledges in strips and so as to lie in the sameplane. In this respect it is an advantage that then the individual glasspanes may be designed with groove and tongue connections like woodpaneling.

It is particularly advantageous to use such thermal insulationtranslucent safety glass elements in a manner reducing weight and costs,with a glass covering coating on only one side thereof to serve as aninsulating suspended facade arranged in front of the masonry for heatingup the masonry by solar radiation. In the summer time it is possible forthe action of the warmth on the masonry to be limited by letting off thehot air through an air passage constituted by spacer fabric with asuitable clearance therein. The same air passage is also suitable forthe removal of moisture released by the masonry.

Even in the case of the use of toughened glass or composite safetyglass, which may naturally be employed instead of float or cast glassfor additional protection against injury in all designs and embodimentsof the glass elements in accordance with the invention, such glasssuspended facades which are both thermally insulating and use solarenergy gains, are able to be produced at low costs in comparison withthe presently conventional suspended facades arranged in front of themasonry of opaque insulating materials.

The glazing elements in accordance with the invention are translucentowing to the spacer fabrics. The solar radiation passing therethroughenters the room in a diffused form. Diffused solar light radiationprovides a way leading towards better illumination of a room withdecreased dazzle. By having thicker covering layers in the spacerfabrics it is possible for such effects to be correspondingly enhanced.

In order to increase the light incidence rate and therefore likewiseincrease the incident solar energy flux, it is proposed in thisconnection to design the rib fibers in a manner similar to light guidefibers, that is to say to provide the filaments, of which the fibers aremade up, with layers with a higher refractive index.

In the case of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14 there is aprovision such that within the wall elements partly transparent surfacesare to be formed by suitable recesses in the spacer fabrics. Of themultiplicity of possibilities for the flat arrangement of transparentareas the design, illustrated in FIG. 14, of a completely transparentinsulating glass element is to be particularly noted, in the case ofwhich only the synthetic resin or aluminum ribs, arranged in theintermediate space between the panes, and which normally are to endowthe window with a traditional appearance like a window composed ofindividual panes, is replaced by bands inserted with a suitable width,of spacer fabrics. The basic idea of the invention, that is to sayconnecting panes using spacer fabric to provide interlocked and forcetransmitting, flexural stiff flat members with thermal insulatingproperties, is adhered to. On the one hand such attachment preventsinward or outward bulging of the panes when owing to thermal effectsthere is an increase or a drop in the internal pressure and the effectof the bulge on the edge joint. On the other hand with the aid of theforce transmitting ribs it is possible to withstand higher wind forces,since both panes are involved opposing the force. To this extent asmaller size of the pane thicknesses is possible.

Owing to the force transmitting coupling of the panes to the elasticribs there is last but not least an enhancement of the acousticinsulating properties of the element. As compared with conventionallyemployed aluminum ribs furthermore the thermal insulating effect and thetransmission of light of the insulating glass element is increased owingto the translucency of the ribs.

In the case of twin pane insulating glass elements so far thesurrounding and sealing edge bond was not able, even in the case ofsmall areas, to withstand the shear forces caused by the gravity of thepanes. For this purpose a frame has so far been necessary. The areawise,structured attachment of the covering panes owing to the integratedintermediate ribs endows the insulating glass pane in accordance withthe invention with dimensional stability so that it can be utilizedwithout additional frame means as a monolithic element.

Lastly such a dimensional stable, translucent element, that is to sayone allowing the passage of solar radiation, may also be employed withpartial recesses, both in the spacer fabric and also in the transparentcovering panes resting on either side thereof, in which decorative coverleaf frames may be integrated in order to receive window leaves in anysuitable form as rocking, turning or reversible leaves. Such an element,which may be preferably designed as a wall element having the height ofa storey with a turning mechanism not illustrated here, one of thecovering panes being a selective, absorptive filter pane, is illustratedin FIG. 15. An advantage here is the use of the entire storey-high paneelement as solar protective glass in the summer setting and as a highlyefficient solar collector means in the winter setting without additionalmechanical rotating means for the integrated window element.

For overhead glazing units fireproof glass is employed in manyapplications. In order to endow the glazing elements in accordance withthe invention with fire resisting properties, the intermediate spacebetween the panes remaining between the rib fibers is preferably filledwith a fireproof material. A transparent gel of a polymer which has ahighly hydrous, inorganic saline solution embedded therein is used asfireproof material in a fashion known per se. In case of fire, aninsulating layer with high thermal insulating properties is formed fromthis material. In the process, energy is consumed by vaporization of thestored water.

I claim:
 1. A glazing element comprising at least one pane having a pairof parallel major surfaces bordered by minor edge surfaces and a coatingprovided on a first one of the major surfaces of the pane and extends atleast over a substantial part of the extent of the area thereof, saidcoating being composed of fibers extending parallel to the majorsurfaces of the pane; wherein the fiber coating is constituted by afirst covering layer of a spacer fabric impregnated with resin and isconnected in a force transmitting manner with said first major surfaceof the pane, the spacer fabric possessing at least one second covetinglayer on an opposite side thereof from the first covering layer; andwherein said first and second covering layers are connected together byrib fibers which, after curing of the resin, are elastic and flexurallystiff, and which extend transversely in relation to the covering layers.2. The glazing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rib fibersintersect with one another.
 3. The glazing element as claimed in claim2, wherein the intersection rib fibers are connected at their points ofintersection by said cured resin.
 4. The glazing element as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the rib fibers have a mean fineness in a range ofapproximately 20 to 80 tex.
 5. The glazing element as claimed in claim1, wherein the rib fibers are arranged with a density of betweenapproximately 10 and 60 fibers per cm².
 6. The glazing element asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the spacer fabric is made up of fibers of amaterial selected from the group consisting of glass, synthetic resinand carbon, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The glazing element as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the rib fibers comprise glass fibers provided withsilane sizes.
 8. The glazing element as claimed in claim 6, Wherein thefibers of the spacer fabric are constituted at least partly of hollowfibers.
 9. The glazing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resinis selected from the group consisting of epoxy, polyurethane, phenol,and polyester resins, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The glazing element asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the covering layers of the spacer fabric arepressed together at edges in a manner forming a surrounding edge seal.11. The glazing element as claimed in claim 1, further comprisingreceiving means embedded in the spacer fabric in a force transmittingmanner for attachment of the glazing element on the outer surface of abuilding.
 12. The glazing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein thespacer fabric extends past an edge of the first major surface.
 13. Theglazing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one additionalpane is arranged parallel to the pane, the spacer fabric being arrangedin an intermediate space between the pane and said additional pane. 14.The glazing element as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second coveringlayer of the spacer fabric is connected with the additional pane in aforce transmitting manner.
 15. The glazing element as claimed in claim1, wherein the covering layers of the spacer fabric are connected withthe at least one pane by means of an adhesive film.
 16. The glazingelement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the adhesive film is selectedfrom the group consisting of polyvinylbutyral and polyurethane.
 17. Theglazing element as claimed in claim 15, wherein fibers of a materialselected from the group consisting of glass, synthetic resin and carbonare incorporated into the adhesive film.
 18. The glazing element asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the rib fibers are coated with a materialhaving an index of refraction that is greater than that of the materialof which the rib fibers are formed.
 19. A glazing element comprising atleast first and second transparent panes arranged with major surfacesthereof parallel to each other, and a fiber coating connected with oneof the major surfaces of the first pane, said fiber coating being madeup of fibers extending parallel to the major surfaces of the first pane;wherein the fiber coating comprises a textile spacer fabric that isimpregnated with resin, said fabric comprising a covering layer and ribfibers extending transversely in relation to the covering layer, freeends of the fibers being arranged at the second pane.
 20. The glazingelement as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rib fibers are secured onthe second pane by means of an intermediate coating.
 21. The glazingelement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the intermediate coating isconstituted by one of a resin coating and an adhesive film.
 22. Theglazing element as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that theintermediate coating is constituted by a material which allows thermalradiation to pass therethrough.
 23. The glazing element as claimed inclaim 13, wherein a diffusion-tight edge seal is provided on the outerside of the spacer fabric.
 24. The glazing element as claimed in claim23, wherein the diffusion-tight edge seal is formed by a weld directlybetween the panes.
 25. The glazing element as claimed in claim 23,wherein an intermediate space between the panes is evacuated.
 26. Theglazing element as claimed in claim 23, wherein an intermediate spacebetween the panes is filled with a gas as a thermally insulatingmaterial.
 27. The glazing element as claimed in claims 23, wherein anintermediate space between the panes is filled with a fireproofmaterial.
 28. The glazing element as claimed in claim 27, wherein thefireproof material comprises a transparent gel of a polymer which has ahighly hydrous, inorganic saline solution embedded therein.
 29. Theglazing element as claimed in claim 22, wherein the rib fibers are freeof resin at the mean height thereof.
 30. The glazing element as claimedin claim 1, wherein a pane is radiation absorbent.
 31. The glazingelement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a low E coating is applied to apane.
 32. The glazing element as claimed in claim 31, wherein low Ecoating has been pyrolytically applied to an outer side of a pane. 33.The glazing element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the low E coating isapplied to an inner side of a pane and adjoins a thermal radiationtransparent substance.
 34. The glazing element as claimed in claim 1,wherein the glazing element can be turned through 180°.
 35. The glazingelement as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one additional pane isarranged in an intermediate space between the at least one pane and theat least one additional pane.
 36. The glazing element as claimed inclaim 35, wherein the at least one additional pane arranged in theintermediate space between the first and second panes is connected withat least one of the first and second panes by a spacer fabric in a forcetransmitting manner.
 37. The glazing element as claimed in claim 35,wherein the at least one additional pane arranged in the intermediatespace between panes comprises a synthetic resin sheet or film.
 38. Theglazing element as claimed in claim 35, wherein the at least oneadditional pane arranged in the space between the panes has a low Ecoating on at least one of its surfaces.
 39. The glazing element asclaimed in claim 1, wherein recesses are provided in the spacer fabricand constitute partly transparent areas.
 40. The glazing element asclaimed in claim 39, wherein the spacer fabric is formed of bands. 41.The glazing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said glazing elementforms a thermal insulating safety glass, for roof or overhead glazingarrangements, facade cladding or door elements, as a glass proof againstbreaking in or out or as acoustic insulating glass.
 42. A method for theproduction of a glazing element comprising the steps of placing a resinimpregnated spacer fabric having at least two coveting layers and ribfibers extending transversely in relation to the covering layers so asto cover a major surface of transparent pane to produce a laminated bodyin a pressing mold, compressing the laminated body so as to adhesivelybond the pane to one of the covering layers of the fabric, whereafterthe pressing mold is at least partially opened and the resin impregnatedin the spacer fabric is cured.
 43. The method as claimed in claim 42,further comprising the step of placing a second pane or sheet on thelaminated body prior to said compressing step.
 44. The method as claimedin claim 42, wherein, during the opening step, the pressing mold isopened a graduated amount until the desired distance is reached betweenthe covering layers.
 45. A method of producing a glazing element,comprising the steps of curing at least one partly resin impregnatedspacer fabric having at least two covering layers and rib fibersextending transversely in relation to the coveting layers, and then,placing said at least one spacer fabric between two panes or sheets in adistance determining manner, pressing the panes or sheets with thespacer fabric therebetween with an adhesive bonding effect.
 46. Themethod as claimed in claim 45, wherein the covering layers of the spacedfabric have a resin coating which is cured prior to resin coating of atleast one of the rib fibers and an edge zone of the covering layers. 47.A method for the production of a glazing element, comprising thefollowing steps:a) pressing a resin impregnated spacer fabric,comprising a covering layer and rib fibers extending from the coveringlayer against a first pane in a bonding manner; b) curing the resin anderecting the rib fibers in a rigid form; c) laying a second pane on freeends of the rib fibers to form a pane structure; and d) providing thepane structure with a surrounding edge seal and evacuating the same.